Report from the World Social Forum - Day 2

First Report from the World Social Forum, [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]From Souleymane Guindo Coordinator for the Blue Community French-Africa attending t

From Souleymane Guindo, Coordinator for the Blue Community French-Africa, attending the World Social Forum in Benin as part of the delegation of the global Blue Community World Council of Churches WCC:

DAILY REPPORT OF THE DELEGATION OF WORD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

DATE:07.08.2026
Tittle: Daily report N°2
Location: Cotonou, Benin
Event: WSF 2026 – August 4-8, 2026

As part of the World Social Forum 2026, the World Council of Churches, WCC delegation held its second sharing and networking event.

TOPIC: WATER FOR LIFE: PUBLIC MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY RIGHT
Resisting privatisation, protecting water commons, and gender-resposive water policy

The event focused on resisting privatization, protecting water commons, and gender-responsive water policy.
The event was facilitated by Mr. Dinesh Suna, of the World Council of Churches, and Toyosi Olatayo from Nigeria.
The event was animated by 4 Speakers, all part of the WCC delegation to WSF 2026.
Each of one has confirmed that Water is a fundamental human right and an essential element for life; food production and processing sanitation, agriculture and environmental sustainability.

Dinesh SUNA emphasized the key principles of the human right to water: he mentioned that water must be available accessible affordable safe and of good quality.
The session emphasized the need to strengthens the advocacy for water justice recognizing that everyone everywhere deserves access to safe and adequate water.
Each speaker summarized the concept in few lines according of the context and the mission of their organization.

Victoria Ebunoluwa OLATUNDE from ECUMENICAL WATER NETWORK AFRICA
Women and children carry the greatest burden of the water crisis across Africa. In many rural communities, women and girls spend hours each day walking long distances to fetch water, often from unsafe sources. This time could have been invested in education, economic activities, leadership, or caring for their families. Along these journeys, many women and girls face risks of violence, harassment, and injury.
Children are equally affected. Unsafe water contributes to preventable diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid. These illnesses interrupt education, increase healthcare costs, and, in the worst cases, claim young lives. Every child deserves clean water, proper sanitation, and a healthy environment in which to grow.
The Ecumenical Water Network Africa continually reminds us that water is a gift from God and access to safe water is a matter of justice, peace, and human dignity. This understanding calls churches beyond charity into advocacy. Our role is not only to provide temporary relief but also to speak prophetically against systems that deny communities access to safe water and sanitation.

Souleymane GUINDO from Reseau Ecole RadioChico Mali / KeneEloute Mali Blue Community presented: The rational management of water must today be a common cause for all. Because we know that every element on Earth depends on this precious resource. Without it, nothing is possible.Studies already show that today: 10% of water is used for domestic needs, 20% by industry, and 70% in the agricultural sector. These statistics are a
wake-up call. They call on all of us to commit to preserving water.
Today, for people in villages and even in cities across many African countries, access to drinking water remains a major challenge. And every year, this scarcity of water is getting worse. That is why the Blue Community, through its communication policy, is calling on everyone through 4 fundamental principles:
Human Right to Water: Water and sanitation are fundamental rights for all.
Public Management: Water services that are publicly managed, financed, and operated.
Tap Water: Promote drinking water accessible to all and reduce the use of bottled water.
International Solidarity: Act together, beyond borders, for water justice.
Water is not a commodity. It is a common good. Let’s protect it.

Peter ‘Dare AJONGBO from ECUMENICAL WATER NETWORK AFRICA:
‘’ Water justice over profit is key… in the provision of clean and drinkable water, the people’s welfare should be placed above profit making…
Community led water governance as one of the solutions to availability and access to clean water to the people.
Research and Data driving Advocacy should be carried out for a good Decision making for Water justice.
Everyone that uses water should be involved in Water justice Advocacy, Responsibility and Accountability are required from every stakeholder.
Partnerships (PUP) on water governance as an alternative to Private-Public Partnerships (PPP) model.
The PUP is focused on water for life while PPP is focused on water for profit.
– African Water Collective Framework on Water Justice should be the next step forward to holistical look at
the comparisons and contrasts of water situations in our countries, so as to amplify our voice in unison.’’

Leonard Shang QUARTEY from The Ecumenical Water Network Africa (EWNA) of the World Council of
Churches:
Africa’s water justice movement has made important gains in resisting privatization while continuing to confront commercialization and mining-related water pollution. Universal access to water requires stronger community leadership and increased government investment in public water services.